LPD News Blog

Stay informed with the Lakeland Police Department News Blog.

During last night’s LHS vs KHS football game, the Lakeland Police Department had an increased amount of officers and street lighting in the area to illuminate some darker areas on the perimeter. The Polk County School Board in partnership with LPD decided to increase security measures for the game to curtail any possible criminal activity in and around the stadium. LPD was also assisted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies and Mounted Patrol Unit. During this time, officers and detectives working the surrounding area recovered 6 firearms as indicated below.

1. Dante Kelly Williams, 16 yrs old, of 2849 Eight Iron Drive, Lakeland was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a minor. He was arrested near the stadium at 4th Street and Virginia Avenue.
2. Rodney Tyrone Williams, 22 yrs of age, of 714 E. Lake Club Drive, Oldsmar, Fla was arrested for Carrying a Concealed Firearm. He was arrested within the stadium by a School Resource Officer.
3. Frederick Antonio Roberts, 19 yrs of age, of 1241 Lake Horney Drive, Lakeland was arrested for carrying a Concealed Weapon. Roberts was in possession of Brass Knuckles and he was arrested at 4th Street and Missouri Avenue.
4. A detective working in an undercover capacity in the area observed 4 to 5 suspicious males around a vehicle at 8th Street and Virginia Avenue. Several of the subjects fled on foot and detectives later recovered four loaded handguns under the seats of the vehicle. This case is still under investigation.

On November 1, at approximately 12:35 a.m., the Lakeland Police Department responded to a shooting in which two subjects had been shot. The suspect, Justin Michael Footman, was visiting with the victims Kendrick Lamond McGary, 24 yrs old and Ryan Rachon McGary, 29 yrs old, at 840 North New York Avenue. While playing cards, Footman produced two firearms and forced both Kendrick and Ryan to lay face down on the kitchen floor and give him their money. Footman then shoots Ryan as he lays on the floor and Kendrick as he jumps up and flees the residence. Footman fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Both victims were transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Violent Crimes Detectives responded to the scene later evening obtained an arrest warrant signed by Judge Harb for Footman on the below listed charges: